What does the Bible say about sexual assault?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible condemns sexual assault as a grievous act of violence, oppression, and covenant-breaking sin, while calling God’s people to protect the vulnerable, seek justice, and offer compassionate care to the afflicted. Ecclesiastes 4:1 recognizes the tears of the oppressed and the cruelty of those with power, while Psalm 82:3 commands the defense of the weak and needy. God is a refuge for the oppressed, as Psalm 9:9 declares, and he sees the violence that corrupts human society (Genesis 6:11; Habakkuk 1:3). Christ came to proclaim liberty and healing to the broken (Luke 4:18-19). Christian love rejects coercion and instead reflects Christ’s self-giving care for his church (Ephesians 5:25, 28-29).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ecclesiastes 4:1

    Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

  • Psalms 82:3

    "Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

  • Psalms 9:9

    Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; A high tower in times of trouble.

  • Psalms 72:4

    He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, And will break the oppressor in pieces.

  • Genesis 6:11

    The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

  • Habakkuk 1:3

    Why do you show me iniquity, and look at perversity? For destruction and violence are before me. There is strife, and contention rises up.

  • Luke 4:18-19

    [18] "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, Because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim release to the captives, Recovering of sight to the blind, To deliver those who are crushed, [19] And to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

  • Isaiah 58:6

    Isn't this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?

  • Ephesians 5:25

    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;

  • Ephesians 5:28-29

    [28] Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. [29] For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about sexual assault and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about sexual assault